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SB 261 Signed! Changes to Individual and General Notice

**New Legislation

Homeowners associations are often required to disclose information to their membership.  There are two forms of disclosure: general notice or individual delivery.  When homeowners associations are required to deliver documents by  “individual delivery” or “individual notice,” Civil Code Section 4040 permits delivery by email, facsimile, or other electronic means (“electronic delivery”) only if the recipient has consented in writing to the same.  Civil Code Section 4040 also requires recipients to revoke their consent to electronic delivery in writing.   SB 261 allows recipients to consent to electronic delivery and to revoke consent to electronic delivery by email. This Bill will bring the current law up-to-date with existing technology so that homeowners can easily opt in or out of electronic delivery.

Civil Code 4360 requires the Board Directors to provide general notice of a proposed rule change at least thirty (30) days before making the change to the rule.  SB 261 changes that timeframe from thirty (30) days to twenty-eight (28) days. Under the new statute, the Board of Directors would be required to provide general notice of a proposed rule change at least twenty-eight (28) days before making a rule change.

SB 261 is an example of the law evolving with technological advances.  Although “snail mail” is not quite obsolete, more and more people rely on their inboxes for important news and updates.  By permitting Homeowners to opt into electronic delivery with emails, HOAs should be able to more quickly and efficiently provide individual notice to their Members.

-Blog post authored by TLG Attorney, Sarah A. Kyriakedes, Esq.